Survey of India Portal Nakshe

Source: The Hindu
Prelims

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Survey of India Portal Nakshe
3. Survey of India

Why in the News?

The government on Monday launched a dedicated website allowing the public access to maps prepared by the Survey of India (SOI).

News in Brief

Survey of India Portal Nakshe

• The country’s oldest scientific organisation and official maker of maps.
• Also one of the oldest survey establishments in the world
• It set up a web portal called Nakshe.
• The portal allows 3,000 of its 7,000 maps to be downloaded for free.
  • The Survey of India has produced over 5,000 topographic maps available on the Nakshe portal.
• The one would require an Aadhaar number for such access.
• The initiative was launched on April 7, 2017, by the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
• The portal supports the government’s Digital India initiative by providing digital access to crucial geographic information.

Why Aadhaar made mandatory

• The Aadhaar is to ensure that only Indians can access this portal.

SoI maps

• Prepared for defence and civilian purposes — are considered a standard reference for the shape, extent and geographic features of the country.
• It will make it easier for residents of villagers and panchayats to readily access information which meant only for citizens.

 How the portal helps

• Currently, organisations and people who want specific maps need to fill out forms and sometimes visit the SoI.
• Ministries themselves had to pay to get certain maps.
• The new Aadhaar-linked portal allows all Indians be able to get these maps for free

The Aadhaar War

• The government has moved to make several services available through Aadhaar.
• This too is a major step forward.
• The government has passed orders to route a variety of citizen services — from scholarships to subsidies — to possessing an Aadhaar or Aadhaar enrolment number.

Survey of India

• The Survey of India (SoI) is the oldest scientific department of the Government of India and one of the oldest survey establishments in the world.
• In its quest to make topographic data accessible, the SoI launched the Nakshe portal, which provides access to Open Series Maps (OSMs) of India.
• This initiative aligns with the government’s policy of promoting transparency and accessibility of geospatial data.

Features and Services:

• Open Series Maps (OSMs):
  • The primary feature of the Nakshe portal is the availability of OSMs, which are topographic maps of the country. These maps are crucial for various applications, including planning and development, disaster management, and academic research.
  • The maps are available in a 1:50,000 scale, offering detailed information about natural and man-made features.
• User Access:
  • The portal allows users to download maps after registering and logging in. This ensures that the data is used responsibly and for legitimate purposes.
  • Access is free of charge, promoting inclusivity and widespread use of the data.
• Geospatial Data:
  • Besides OSMs, the portal provides various other geospatial data sets that are valuable for researchers, planners, and developers.

How can it be used?

• Urban Planning: Urban planners use these maps to design infrastructure projects, ensuring that new developments are sustainable and well-integrated with existing urban areas.
• Environmental Management: Environmentalists and conservationists use these maps to monitor and manage natural resources, assess environmental impacts, and develop conservation strategies.
• Disaster Management: Authorities use the topographic data for disaster preparedness and response, identifying vulnerable areas and planning evacuation routes.

Daily Current Affairs: Click Here

Rate this Article and Leave a Feedback

Today’s Current Affair content is meticulously crafted to align the topic with the syllabus of Civil Service and various other examinations. Join our community of aspirants and embark on a journey of knowledge, growth, and success with IAS Current Affairs. Let’s stay ahead together in the ever-evolving landscape of competitive examinations and the latest current affairs!